Nine hundred years after the birth of JesusIn Vikings ships down from the North and mercilessInvaders came and they tried to smashOur Breton ways, all we loved best.

And when we had won victory, led by Alan Bready to peace,Though bitterly we fought and died, now had come the French in their place,In our country landlords now gave us orders in foreign speech.

But our Duke Alan saidBrittany would not be fare for conquerorsFrom France or elsewhere.Six hundred years we stoodFree and in liberty, bowing no king,His burdens to bear.

Standing in a balance of power in between our two great neighbours,Standing in a balance of power in between the English and French,The people looked to England and to France the lords and their ladies,Not because they were close but for allies and to give themselves strength.

And so we fought often with Englishmen andThen we changed sides fighting for then against the French.

All this time BrittanyLed the whole Western world in democracyAnd we were free."Dudgentil" - gentlemen -Was every poor man's name, so that he could knowThe law was for him.So there was no Breton serfdom and we missed the Hundred Years War.Silver dishes in every farm till the French had won victory.Before losing our freedom we knew great prosperityMaking ships of our navy the envy of all the world.